Brother Nature

Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan,attempt to prove that they have what it takes to be like other Saturday Night Live not ready for Prime Time players, who have become movie stars with Brother Nature.

Produced by their boss over at SNL, Lorne Michaels, he gives these two (and another one of his employees, Kenan Thompson) the time off to make this flick.

Killan plays a campaign manager, about to run for congress at the same time propose to his girlfriend, when he goes on a weekend get away to meet her family that includes her sister's boyfriend, played by Moynihan whose far too into the idea that the two could poetically be brother-In-Laws

Nothing out of the ordinary that makes this very funny, expect for Moynihan whose performance does stand out despite Killan playing the lead straight man.

Kumail Nanjiani as Riggleman, Killan's friend and co worker in the movie, had some note worthy laughs as well, and the chemistry between Bill Pullman and Rita Wilson was hilarious too.

Altogether though it works if you are a Saturday Night Live fan cause that's the comedy that's displayed here.

This film is genuinely funny, but not at all side-aching hilarious. The humor isn't forced down ones throat. There's plenty of laughs to be had and the film seems content to allow the audience to laugh at one thing or another rather than at designated points. I found a great deal of the humor weak and poorly conveyed, but there were certain things which I couldn't help chuckling. This one felt like the regurgitation of Meet The Fockers, from 2004. Lorne Micheals of SNL is the producer, he's a comedy master with a laughter resume spanning decades. Thus, I expected greater production value. It was good to see Keenan Thompson, a favorite of mine since childhood (Nickleodeon's All That). He had a very minor role but was easily recognizable despite the crazy hair-do that they gave him here.

Former SNL cast member Taran Killam portrays Roger, a straight-laced and fastidious Chief of Staff to a Seattle Congressman, who suddenly informs Roger he's retiring. The Congressman offers to endorse Roger if he wants to run, and he enthusiastically accepts.

First though, Roger will take a week off and go with his girlfriend Gwen (Gillian Jacobs) to visit her family at their lakeside cabins, where he intends to propose. I imagine you have already guessed things will not go according to plan.

I'm sure most of us have seen movies where there's always one character that is incredibly frenetic and obnoxious with no respect for other's boundaries, yet the remainder of the family just thinks he's wonderful. Such is the case here with Todd (Bobby Moynihan), possibly Roger's future brother-in-law, who makes Roger's time at the cabin a living hell.

The late Chris Farley often played this type of character, but Farley had such an endearing quality about him that it was usually very funny. Unfortunately, the character of Todd here just became highly annoying, even painful to witness for me, as the film progressed. Despite the customary 180's near the end of the movie, the damage had already been done for me, The one bright spot in the film was the understated humor of Kumail Nanjami, who I thought was quite funny as Riggleman, Roger's top aide.

Overall, I felt this movie provided a few laughs here and there, but the intended humor just didn't work for me.

What can a middle age movie lover tell you about Brother Romance? I'll start with that I was immediately alarmed about the more than a passing resemblance to "The Great Outdoors" (TGO). A film about a man who goes to a cabin for a holiday only to find it ruined by a brother in law. Brother Romance is basically a remake, and, as with most of our current crop of remakes doesn't do it as well. Which is troubling, TGO is not exactly a classic (although I like it, John Candy is gold), meaning Brother Romance falls squarely in to the "meh" rating of films.

Acting and characters are in line with the genre. Generally scenarios are OTT and over played. The story line leans on plenty of clichés; Animal attacks, fart jokes, in laws messing things up, repentance of lead character. I could go on, but there's nothing more that needs to be said.

TGO is a better film, but being nearly 30 years old, probably won't hit the mark with younger audiences and I guess, Brother Romance will have to fill the spot to modernize lake based comedy of errors.

The movie started out well enough but once all the shenanigans start out at the cabin it just becomes too much. A few other reviews already mentioned how everything is over done, over acted and overreacted! It all just becomes annoying and by the end there isn't a character to like or care about except Riggleman (Nanjiani) in his limited role. Overall, it's worth the watch if you're bored but don't expect much.